By Brandon C. Williams
The Post Newspaper Editor
Galveston County’s athletes shined at the UIL state track and field finals over the weekend, but it was the ladies of the area who shined brightest.
Clear Falls’ Kennedy Wade was one of the biggest highlights of the event, defending her 6A girls’ 400 meter run with a title-winning time of 52.72 seconds. The future Texas A&M student-athlete also placed second in the 6A girls’ 800 meter run (2:10.51) before joining teammates Ja’Nyla Tucker, Emily Chamliss and Ashley Sisson to place third in the 6A girls’ 4×400 meter relay in a time of 3:46.86.
“I’m thankful that the UIL state meet was my last high school meet, and that I got to represent Clear Falls one last time!” said Wade via Twitter. “I’m so proud to say that I’m undefeated in the 400m and a state champion in the race as well! It’s always a great day to be a knight! A&M here I come!!”
Dickinson’s Destiny Smith also added multiple medals to her stocked trophy case as the Gators standout finished second in the 6A girls’ 100 meter hurdles (13.22) along with placing third in the 6A girls’ 300 meter hurdles (42.65).
Joining Wade and Smith was Clear Brook’s Camyrn Dickson, who garnered a second place finish in the 6A girls’ 100 meter run with a time of 11.47 seconds, while adding a third place finish in the 6A girls’ 200 meter run (23.28).
Clear Falls’ Olivia Lueking finished third in the 6A girls’ pole vault (13-6) and placed fifth in the 6A girls’ 300 meter hurdles (43.25).
In 6A boys’, Noah Thomas of Clear Springs finished fifth in the 400 meter run (48.46), while Clear Falls’ John Sisson placed seventh (49.36) in the same event.
Friendswood’s field standouts brought home a pair of second place finishes in the 5A boys’ meet. Alberto Orta finished second in the shot put with a toss of 176-10, while teammate Patrick Elizondo’s high jump of 6-6 earned him a silver medal.
Texas City’s Kenyon Parker finished fifth in the 5A boys’ 300 meter hurdles (38.25), while Friendswood’s Brynna Halata placed sixth in the girls’ 5A pole vault (11-6).
